CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Feb. 4, 2019) – The University of Illinois announced today that WLS-AM 890 is the university’s newest radio affiliate and will carry all football and men’s basketball games, as well as the seasonal coaches’ shows, through the 2023-24 season.
The five-year agreement, which officially kicks off with the 2019 football season, marks a first for the Fighting Illini and Cumulus Media-owned WLS AM 890. During football, fans will be able to catch the weekly radio show with Head Coach Lovie Smith and Head Coach Brad Underwood during men’s basketball season.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of this great combination; a program rich in college sports history with a station rich in radio history… serving Chicago, Illinois, and much of the lower 48 for 95 years! We look forward to delivering high-quality game broadcasts and programming for the passionate Illini fanbase, ensuring they won’t miss a key moment of any game, home or away,” said Jeff Hill, VP of Sales for Cumulus Chicago.
The Fighting Illini Sports Network now encompasses 50 radio affiliates across Illinois and in St. Louis, Mo. The affiliates and all broadcast aspects are overseen and managed by University of Illinois Athletics’ multimedia rightsholder, Fighting Illini Sports Properties.
“Our new agreement with WLS-AM 890 fulfills our longstanding interest in a strong, dedicated, synergistic radio partner in the Chicago market,” said UI Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. “The Chicago media market is extremely competitive, but now Fighting Illini fans throughout the Midwest can listen to each of our football and men’s basketball games on the powerful signal that WLS brings to the airwaves. We are excited about this new relationship and are grateful to WLS-AM 890 for their partnership, along with our colleagues at Fighting Illini Sports Properties for brokering this promising new arrangement.”
For 95 years, this legendary and powerful 50,000 watt giant has informed and entertained Chicagoland and much of America. Today, that tradition continues with award winning local news wrapped around iconic and beloved personalities like Mancow Muller and John Howell, as well as national shows from Chicago native Chris Plante, talk icon Rush Limbaugh, and renowned commentator and podcaster, Ben Shapiro. For more information, visit www.WLSAM.com.
TICKET SALES: The Future is NOW and tickets go on sale for the 2019 Illinois football season on Wednesday, Feb. 6 with a variety of prices and options. Season tickets offer fans a guaranteed savings of 23 to 74 percent off single game ticket prices. The 2019 season features seven home games, including five B1G matchups against Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, Rutgers and Northwestern. Log on to FightingIllini.com to get tickets today.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Duncan
c/o Fighting Illini Sports Properties
469-767-8324
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